Cops bike to DC to honor fallen officers

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Law enforcement officers from all over the country stopped in the Port City today.

Law Enforcement United is cycling to Washington, DC, to honor fallen officers. More than 20 officers are making the thousand-mile trek over a 10-day span. Four wilmington police officers are among the group.

The officers average about 100 miles a day, but most say the fatigue and pain does not compare to the struggle fallen officers were faced with.

“I have six friends on the wall,” retired federal agent Rick Gallo said about the memorial for fallen officers. “One who was in my academy class who died in the Oklahoma City bombing. I have someone who I played hockey with in college who was an NYPD cop who was shot to death, and I have four friends of mine who I played ball with who were all officers for the Port Authority in New York and New Jersey who were killed on 9/11.”

The officers are traveling to DC for National Police Week, which starts May 15.